2013 Toyota Fj Cruiser problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Suspension (5) · Structure:body (5) · Visibility/Wiper (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Toyota Fj Cruiser model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (4)
Equipment:other:labels 2014-08-04 · campaign 14V475000 · 20,000 vehicles
Defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2014 FJ Cruiser and Tacoma vehicles equipped with accessory wheels and tires installed by Toyota or dealers prior to the vehicle's first sale. The affected vehicles may list incorrect spare tire size and/or cold tire inflation information on the tire placard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 110, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars."
Risk: If the spare tire is inflated to the incorrect pressure provided on the placard, tire failure may occur while it is being driven on, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: For the involved vehicles, overlay stickers to correct the tire placard will either be mailed to owners or provided to dealers for placement over the incorrect information on the placard. The recall is expected to begin in September 2014. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
Exterior Lighting 2013-04-25 · campaign 13V163000 · 208,000 vehicles
Defect: Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2007-2013 FJ Cruiser vehicles manufactured January 25, 2006 through February 23, 2013 and equipped with a Toyota Auxiliary Driving Lamp Kits mounted to the front bumper. These lamp assemblies include 55 watt bulbs and due to this wattage and mounting angle, the combination of the upper beam headlamps plus the auxiliary lamps are too bright and exceed the maximum light output allowed for an upper beam headlamp. Therefore, these v
Risk: Light intensities above the maximum allowable limit could cause increased glare for oncoming traffic and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the 55 watt bulbs with 35 watt bulbs, free of charge. The recall began on June 6, 2013. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Equipment:other:labels 2013-04-09 · campaign 13V123000 · 7,525 vehicles
Defect: Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2010-2013 Toyota Tundra, 2010-2012 Rav4, 2012 Toyota Sequoia, 2010-2011 Toyota Corolla, 2010-2011 Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser, 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser, 2010-2013 Toyota Venza, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, 2010-2013 Toyota Tacoma, 2011-2012 Toyota Sienna, 2012 Toyota Prius, 2013 Scion FR-S, 2011 Scion XD, 2011 Scion XB, and 2012 Scion TC vehicles. These vehicl
Risk: An inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires. An overloaded vehicle can result in a tire failure which may result in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or property damage.
Fix: Southeast Toyota will notify owners and provide a corrected label with instructions concerning its installation. A small group of the affected vehicles will need additonal remedies which are still being developed. The recall began on May 28, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Seat Belts:front:anchorage 2013-03-15 · campaign 13V098000 · 209,000 vehicles
Defect: Toyota is recalling certain model year 2007 through 2013 FJ Cruiser passenger vehicles. The retractors for the front driver and passenger seat belts are mounted in the access door (rear door) panels of the vehicle. Due to insufficient strength of the access door panel, cracks may develop in the panel if the access door is repeatedly and forcefully closed over an extended period of time.
Risk: If cracks occur in the panel around the lower retractor anchor, the seat belt retractor could become detached, which could increase the risk of injury to an occupant in the event of a crash.
Fix: The safety recall began on June 6, 2013. Toyota will mail an interim letter to owners late in April 2013. Remedy notifications to the owners for the repair will begin in late May 2013. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Service bulletins (205)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-01-07 · T-SB-0055-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2005 – 2026 toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. the purpose of this service bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures
Electrical System 2025-06-13 · T-SB-0058-23 Rev1 · Service Campaign
the air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. the procedures outlined in this service bulletin aid in locating, inspecting, and repairing refrigerant leaks.
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0039-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. if these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof,
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0038-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
to prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. the purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer.
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0035-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. if these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfa
Structure:body 2024-12-05 · T-SB-0061-23 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
toyota vehicles are currently protected with rapgardtm protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. this material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. follow the removal procedure in this bulletin to remove the rapgardtm protective film wi
Showing the 6 most recent of 205 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-05-08 · Suspension“please consider opening or expanding an investigation into frame, underbody, brake-line, and suspension-mount corrosion affecting toyota fj cruisers. i own a 2013 toyota fj cruiser 4wd. a professional inspection found multiple fluid leaks, heavy rust, rusted exhaust, leaking rear shocks, and brake line/hose concerns. after reviewing the condition, …”
2026-02-11 · Suspension“i purchased my beloved 2013 fj cruiser from wellesley toyota 6.5 years ago and have really enjoyed it. i have had it serviced religiously at mcgee toyota of hanover since my purchase and expected to continue to enjoy it for many years to come and was just informed by mcgee toyota that the frame is severly rusted out throughout. my truck only has 15…”
2025-03-14 · Air Bags · 💥 crash“i had a car accident on feb 10, 2025 and my air bag did not deploy…”
2024-08-05 · Structure:frame And Members:underbody Shields · 80,000 mi“the contact owns a 2013 toyota fj cruiser. upon having the vehicle inspected by a state inspector, the contact was informed that there was significant corrosion on the undercarriage of the vehicle. the contact took the vehicle to a dealer and was informed that the corrosion failure was a result of normal wear and tear. the contact was referred to a…”
2022-05-23 · Suspension“i went down the road & hit a bump my car rocked a little so i stopped to check the lug nuts & see if anything was wrong. i did not see anything. so, i continued to go pick my friend up as i was driving down the freeway anytime i hit a bump the car rocked more the faster i went. so i slowed down & watched traffic around me. picked my friend up, went…”
2021-12-14 · Suspension“frame rust. gas tank strap rust. undercarriage rusted. …”
2021-10-10 · Structure:body“severely rusted & rotting frame. diagnosed by mike’s automotive, sturgeon bay, wi.…”
2021-08-14 · Unknown Or Other“severe frame, structural and fuel tank strap rust.…”
2021-06-29 · Structure:body“the frame on my vehicle is incredibly rusty. upon further research, i've found that this is a chronic problem fj cruisers. many frames have rusted to the point where there is structural damage thereby rendering the vehicle unsafe to drive. i know that toyota issued a recall for tacoma trucks for this very issue, and i would like to have a recall is…”
2021-05-31 · Unknown Or Other“i purchased a used toyota fj cruiser in june 2019 with 25,441 miles on it from luv toyota in lakewood, ny. the car was purchased sight unseen with cash from a toyota dealership and shipped to me in sugar land, tx. when the vehicle arrived it was covered in frame and total underbody rust. the vehicle is completely unsafe to drive and i have drive…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.